All set for Brahmotsavams from Sept 13

Tirumala: The annual Brahmotsavams, the biggest event among 450 festivals that are being observed in the Hill shrine of Sri Venkateswara Swamy at Tirumala all through the year, are all set to commence from September 13.

Senior officials including TTD Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal and Tirumala JEO KS Sreenivasa Raju overseeing the preparations on daily basis to ensure the conduct of the events in a fool-proof manner.

Meanwhile, following the age-old temple practice, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, on behalf of the government, will present a set of new silk vasthrams to the Lord and have darshan on the first day of Utsavam on September 13, TTD sources said.

As per the lunar calendar, because of additional month during every three years, there are two Brahmotsavams this year, one in September (known as Salaktla Brahmotsavam) and the second in October (Navaratri Brahmotsavam).

Following the age-old tradition, the temple cleansing fete Koil Alwar Tirumanjanam will be performed ahead of the commencement of annual Brahmotsavams on September 11, while the Ankurarpanam or seed-sowing festival, a preparatory ritual before the Utsavam, on September 12.

Brahmotsavam is considered most auspicious festival at Srivari temple since it is believed to have first performed by none other than the Creator, Lord Brahma Himself out of His reverence towards Lord Vishnu, the Protector.

The nine-day event commences with the unfurling of the Garuda Dwaja, celestial flag on the temple pillar, on September 13 through a ceremony called Dhwajarohanam.

This mega festival is observed in such a way that this fete concludes on the advent of Sravana nakshatram in Kanya masam(Ashwiyuja) with Chakra Snanam. Interestingly, there is no Dwajarohanam and Dwajaavarohanam for Navaratri Brahmotsavams.

The Navarathri Brahmotsavams are slated to commence from October 10 and conclude on October 18. TTD rescheduled the vahana sevas this year which will be held daily between 9 am and 11 am and between 8 pm and 10 pm with an exception of Garuda Vahanam which commences at 7 pm and concludes at midnight 12.

The details of the nine-day Salakatla Brahmotsavam are Dwajarohanam (Sept 13) 4 pm and 4-45 pm in Makara Lagnam followed by Pedda Shesha Vahanam same day at 8 pm. On the second day, Chinna Sesha Vahanam and Hamsa Vahanam (Sep 14), third day Simha Vahanam and Muthyapu Pandiri (Sept 15), fourth day Kalpavruksha and Sarva Bhopala vahanam (Sept 16) will be held.

Mohini vahanam and Garuda Vahanam will be held on the fifth day (Sept 17) and on the sixth day, Hanumantha vahanam and Gaja Vahanam (Sept 18). The added attraction on the day is Swarna Ratham at 4 pm.

Surya Prabha Vahanm and Chandra Prabha Vahanams will be on the seventh day (Sept 19) and on the penultimate day of Brahmotsavam, Rathotsavam in the morning and Aswa Vahanam in the evening (Sept 20) will be conducted.

The nine-day religious fete will come to an end with Chakrasanam on Sept 21 and Utsavam will be formally winded up with Dwajaavarohanam (Sept 21) at 7 pm.